Exforge tablets contain two substances called amlodipine and valsartan. Both substances help control high blood pressure.
Amlodipine belongs to a group of substances called "calcium channel antagonists". Amlodipine prevents calcium from penetrating into the wall of the blood vessel, thus preventing the narrowing of the blood vessels.
Valsartan belongs to a group of substances called "angiotensin II receptor antagonists". Angiotensin II is produced by the body and causes the blood vessels to narrow, thereby raising blood pressure. Valsartan works by blocking the effect of angiotensin II. That means that both substances help prevent the narrowing of the blood vessels. As a result, the blood vessels relax and the blood pressure drops.
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If in doubt, consult your doctor again. This will help you to obtain the best results and reduce the risk of adverse effects.
The normal amlodipine valsartan dosage is one tablet per day.
It is preferable to take the medicine at the same time each day. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. You can take Exforge with or without food. Do not take Exforge with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
Depending on your response to treatment, your doctor may suggest a higher or lower dose.
Do not exceed the prescribed dose.
Exforge and the elderly (65 years or older)
Your doctor should exercise caution when increasing the dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more Exforge than you should
If you have taken too many Exforge tablets, or if someone else has taken your tablets, see a doctor immediately.
Like all medicines, Exforge can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some side effects can be serious and need immediate medical attention:
A few patients have experienced these serious side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients). If you notice any of the following, tell your doctor right away:
Allergic reaction with symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, shortness of breath, low blood pressure (feeling faint, lightheaded).
Other possible side effects of Exforge:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients): Flu; stuffy nose, sore throat, and discomfort when swallowing; headache; swelling in the arms, hands, legs, ankles, or feet; fatigue; asthenia (weakness); redness and warming of the face and/or neck.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients): Dizziness; nausea and abdominal pain; dry mouth; drowsiness, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet; vertigo, fast heartbeat including palpitations; dizziness when getting up; cough; diarrhea; constipation; skin rash, redness of the skin; joint inflammation, back pain; joint pain
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients): Feeling anxious; ringing in the ears (tinnitus); Fainting; increased amount of urine or an urgent feeling to urinate; inability to achieve or maintain an erection; feeling of heaviness; low blood pressure with symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness; excessive sweating; skin rash all over the body, itching, muscle spasms.
Tell your doctor if any of the cases mentioned seriously affect you.
warnings and precautions
Pregnancy
No treatment with Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (ARAII) should be started during pregnancy. Unless continuing with AIIRAs is considered essential, patients planning to become pregnant should switch to an alternative antihypertensive treatment that has a known safety profile for use during pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with AIIRAs should be discontinued immediately, and if appropriate, alternative treatment should be started
Hyperkalemia
Concomitant use of potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes containing potassium, or other medicinal products that may increase potassium levels (heparin, etc.), should be carried out with caution and with frequent monitoring of levels. of potassium.
Renal artery stenosis
Exforge should be used with caution to treat hypertension in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis in patients with a single kidney since blood urea and serum creatinine concentrations may increase in these patients.
